this is a bad town for such a pretty face

Frederick wasn’t in any real danger. At least not from Hannibal. Dr. Chilton’s only misstep was being too entertaining when his life was on the line. Hannibal had, that morning, had every intention of perfectly framing Frederick for murder. But that was then. This was now. He put on his best concerned face when he saw the bags in Frederick’s rental car.

“You’re leaving in quite a rush.” He noted. “A long conference?” He asked, looking at how many bags he’d packed. As if he didn’t know what was going on. He’d just decided roughly an hour ago that it would be far more fun to see Frederick on the run. “You seem very nervous.” He pointed out. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

He hoped Frederick would consider his offer and then take him up on it. If he just left alone everything would be for nothing. He couldn’t even be bothered to kill Frederick. He’d just let him go on the run forever, always assuming the Chesapeake Ripper was right over his shoulder. But that just wouldn’t be as fun. And really, wasn’t that the point? 

“Not exactly,” he said, as calmly as he could. Still, his eyes were wild. “I’m in rather a difficult position, and I was forced to decide between my work and my well being. So I made the decision that would best extent my life expectancy.” He slammed closed the back of the rental, regretting every second he wasn’t spending with his Jaguar. He hoped very much it would still be in working order when he got back.

“It has come to my attention that my very life may be in danger.” He looked at Hannibal, giving this a nice dramatic lead-in. “Yesterday morning, I received a package with the leg of the last victim of the Chespeake Ripper’s inside. So I have decided that I need to leave town. At least until the dust settles.”

Of course he can’t see it, but he nods for the sake of easing his older brother’s mind. Now was a time of healing. Of walking away from this whole ordeal with heads high and pride intact. Freddie Lounds would have a field day with this entire thing – thousands of people were going to know about the doctor torn into by his own patient. Worse, she had been there. She had witnessed the horror and done nothing to prevent it. Surely there were moments where Gideon’s focus was exact – surely his hands were busy savaging his brother. There were more than enough sharp instruments in the room. More than enough time to strike. It was easy to hate her, to blame her when he himself felt helpless to do anything. He would have killed Abel Gideon with his bare hands. Given the chance? He still might. The sudden squeeze is enough to alert him that something is wrong. Frederick’s demeanor suddenly shifts and Edward’s heart breaks at the desperation that replaces the giddy happiness. Gone is his brother’s hallucinations of waving architecture and in its place – the deepest of fears.

“Shhhh.” Edward bends and does what his brother physically can’t, bringing the two of them closer. They have always found comfort in contact and their hands weren’t enough. Not this time. It’s awkward with the bed, with IVs, but he manages to pet over familiar dark strands – to press lips against his twin’s temple. It’s an effort to shield Frederick away from everything, including his own fears. “I’d never leave you. Never. I’m right here. You’re safe. You’re with me. Nothing’s ever going to touch you again. I promise.” There is no room for argument in his words, no doubt in his mind. He would keep Frederick safe from the world until he was ready – and then he’d continue to protect him, some more. 

Edward comes closer to him, and Frederick’s breath slows. He shuts his eyes a moment, leaning into his touch. He needs his brother’s love right now. Fuzzy memories come forward. Feeling like he could faint and being woken up. His eyes fly open again, not wanting to see what’s lurking behind his eyelids. He wants to see swirls and sparkles and his twin brother’s face. He wants to forget. His hands still feel heavy, like they’re still holding -- holding something in --

A shudder runs through him, the hairs on his arms and neck standing on end. With it comes a burst of terror, and Frederick feels like he could cry. “Edward...” He grips his hand tightly, turning his face to look up at him better. Big eyes look up at big eyes, green meeting green. Less than a foot apart, feeling the gentle fingers in his hair. “Edward, you cannot read what she says.”

What happened to Frederick is the likes of which show up in horror films. It’s impossible to comprehend so soon, at least for Frederick. Something so gruesome happening is the type of thing that makes national news. Because it never happens. It’s not real! People don’t get sliced up this way, they’re not kept awake so that they can watch themselves lose pieces of their body. Not able to feel anything -- almost like watching it happen to someone else. And there’s a part of Frederick that is still waiting for the movie to end. Cut to black. Credits roll. Look up with his hand in his brother’s, and they walk out talking about the next day at work. They go home.

Frederick has always wanted to be famous. But he never expected to be on the silver screen with his organs hanging out.